Four columns of text at the top right corner of the painting, two flags in the painting extending outside the rectangular text box. Battle scene, army of mounted riders directing their gaze at the leader in the front who has a male figure speared and elevated.
AKM443, Rustam Lifting Alkus on His Spear

© The Aga Khan Museum

Four columns of text, script in black ink in a rectangular text box on cream paper. A third of the way down, spanning the centre two columns, a rectangle with one line of red script.
AKM443, Rustam Lifting Alkus on His Spear, Back

© The Aga Khan Museum

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Rustam Lifting Alkus on His Spear
Folio from a manuscript of Shahnameh (Book of Kings) by Firdausi (d. 1020)
  • Accession Number:AKM443
  • Creator:paintings attributed to Mu‘in Musavvir (d. 1697)
  • Place:Iran, Isfahan
  • Dimensions:35 x 21.5 cm
  • Date:1666-1667
  • Materials and Technique:opaque watercolour, ink and gold on paper.

  • The Iranian hero, Rustam, his brother Zavarreh, and other chieftains went on a hunting excursion in Turanian territory, prompting a huge battle. Alkus, the Turanian hero, mistook Zavarreh for Rustam and injured him greatly. This painting shows Rustam, who wears his trademark snow-leopard helmet and fire-and-waterproof tiger-skin coat, lifting Alkus on his spear in the act of avenging his brother.

     

    — Filiz Çakır Phillip

Note: This online resource is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. We are committed to improving this information and will revise and update knowledge about this object as it becomes available.

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